Vehicle: 1995 F-150 4.9. Problem. First the brakes would shudder and shimmy after warming up--in my experience a sign of warped rotors or bad pads (not worn out, but cracked or fragmented, etc.). Anyway, I had the rotors turned and got new pads. When I was reassembling the left side I noticed that the piston in the caliper didn't want to go back in. The right side pushed smoothly into the caliper (I use a big clamp), no problem. The left one had to be forced by adding leverage to the crank of the clamp. Put it all back together and now it pulls HARD to the right, like the piston is not pushing out on the left side, or there's a brake fluid leak on the left side--but I don't see any brake fluid dripping or running out--, or there's air in the line. I've never had air get in the line when just changing brake pads. In any case, I'll probably disassemble it tomorrow morning and check it out. Too hot to work on it any more today (about 105). Any thoughts? Can a reluctant piston be lubricated somehow?
Keith

 

I see where you went wrong, if the left piston didnt go in as smoothly as the right one did the caliper is done,its frozen by you pushing it in even tigher made it worse.
replace the left caliper and all will be good. Make sure you bleed them properly, look for an even stream.

 

I agree that the left caliper needs replaced. But I wonder if one is shot, just how long will the other one last? If it were me (for my own peace of mind) I would replace both calipers. Brakes and steering can kill you and others, so don't cheap out with them..

 

In addition to the caliper(s), replace the hoses. They break down over time and can collapse internally, causing the piston to get stuck out or by restricting fluid to them.

 

Darn good point!!!!!

 

I agree with ''blk'', and I agree with ''White''. So I guess I can say its as clear as black and white. Ha. Ok...

But yes.. Replace both calipers and both hoses. As old as everything is.. No use in fixing something and having to fix something else in common shortly thereafter. You will be back on the road in no time.

 

Ran into this exact problem twice in the last 3 months. both times it was because a hose had degraded internally and plugged up. Replace the hose before the calipers, may be able to save some money

 

you can check this pump the pedal a few times with left side in the air then try to turn wheel if you cant the crack the bleed screw if it shoots out just a bit then nothing (close bleeder ) check the wheel again if it turns then you have a bad hose but the clipers are fairly cheapand ive seen the hose material get in the caliper also and note you can rebuild the calipers also real cheap not hard just a thought

 

Fixed with new calipers. Hoses were OK.

 

Glad that was all and that you reported back, this will make the thread more useful.